Now that the travel corridors have opened up once again, airlines are gearing up for a busy — and profitable — holiday season.
It is no secret that the global travel industry suffered a downturn during the pandemic-fueled lockdowns and restrictions. This year, travelers are once again free to fly the friendly skies.
However, it will cost them a pretty penny to do so amid high inflation and increased costs of goods and services.
DFW airport is already one of the busiest on the planet, but this year, delays are only half the story. U.S. adventurers looking to travel during the holidays will be in for sticker shock, with fares set to hover at their highest level in half a decade, according to Hopper, which tracks plane fares.
Travelers planning to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday, the busiest travel time of the year, should expect to pay an average airfare of $350 for domestic flights. International flights are trending more than twice as high at $795.
Prices for both domestic and international flights spiked 22% versus pre-COVID levels in 2019, according to Hopper.
For people looking to travel during Christmas, prices have risen even more. Domestic flights are averaging $463 this year, up nearly 33% versus 2019, while the average price for international flights has climbed by more than one-quarter to $1,300.
Travelers during the busy holiday season could catch a break on fares if they are willing to be flexible about their travel dates. For example, if possible, instead of flying on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, try the Monday before the holiday instead.
The same rule of thumb holds for the days closest to Christmas — aim for the Monday or Tuesday before December 25, which falls on a Sunday this year.
Brett Snyder of consumer blog Cranky Flier believes hunting cheap fares during this year’s holiday season could be a lost cause due to tighter controls by the airlines over their seat inventories.
He told CNBC, “Airlines are so much better at this now. Now they just fly a lot fewer flights on Christmas Day. If it is cheaper, it’s not significantly cheaper.”
Hopper lead economist Hayley Berg advises travelers not to wait to purchase their airfare. Instead, lock in a fare no later than October if planning to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday season. Otherwise, be prepared to see airfares rise by $10 daily starting in November through Thanksgiving for a peak price of $550. December airfares will likely start increasing two months before the holiday.